Military command is a good thing,
but its abuse may cost one's life.
Highness, you can rest assured,
The Yuwen family will always be loyal to you.
Heaven can be our witness.
What are you doing? Get up.
I know, I know, now get up.
Thank you, Highness.
Yang Yong is still supervising the construction of the Thousand Years Court?
I heard it's near completion.
Crown Prince wants to get credit for it.
Credit?
I'm building myself a mansion, and I didn't know about it?
You!
It was a simple renovation, how come it's turned out to be so opulent?
Highness, I thought it was too plain for your position,
so I took the liberty...
Took the liberty?
How much was spent on it?
Hardly a dime.
Hardly a dime?
It's so opulent and it didn't cost a dime?
You...what's going on?
Highness, actually,
Honorable Chen of Works who's responsible for the Thousand Years Court,
is grateful to you for the recommendation,
so he built you the mansion on the side.
It didn't cost you a dime.
No?
How much did it cost?
I don't know either.
One more thing... What?
He built you a villain Lintong as well
You...this is ridiculous!
Why didn't you tell me earlier?
Honorable Chen forbid me.
He wanted to tell you himself.
You...I...you're ridiculous!
You want me dead? You want my life?
Highness...something serious...
It's a disaster...
What?
Highness...
When the roof was being capped to finish the construction of the court,
it suddenly caved in, hundreds of workers were crushed to death.
I'm done for.
Highness...
More than ten million taels for a pile of rubble?
The beam was not thicker than a twig,
the bricks fell apart at a mere touch.
Thousand Years Court indeed.
Go ask the people,
would they use such materials for a chicken coop.
Chen Changyu, how much money have you pocketed for yourself?
Sire, not even a tael.
What nonsense! More than ten million taels for this pile of rubble?
Sire, really, not a tael.
Every expenditure is listed in the book,
Sire, you can check.
Where has the money saved from the inferior materials gone?
Say it!
You won't tell?
Come! Yes!
Take him out and execute him with a thousand cuts!
Sire...
Sire, spare me...I can't tell.
Say it!
Highness...save me...
Highness, save me...
Sire...
Shut up!
Chen Changyu, carry on.
Yes, I'll tell.
I was given the order to construct the Thousand Years Court,
I had been doing my utmost, nothing was neglected.
Then Crown Prince's steward Yang Ji came to me.
He said that since I was building the palace
I could fix up Highness' rear garden as well
Sire, I really didn't know about that.
I never gave such an order.
Shut up!
Carry on.
After some time,
Steward Yang asked for a villa in Lintong.
He said it was Crown Prince's order.
You're lying!
Sire, I only learned of it today.
I never asked Yang Ji to give inappropriate orders.
Sire, please understand.
Sire, Crown Prince is the heir to the throne,
I'm just a mere courtier,
how could I say no to him?
Sire, every word I said is true.
I dare not hide anything from you.
You...
Sire, please don't believe what this wicked man said.
Crown Prince is the heir to the throne,
He owns the country.
Not to say a villa, be it ten,
it means nothing to him.
Why should he take this ridiculous route?
I'm sure it's this wicked man,
he knew he had committed an unforgivable crime and is doomed,
so he framed the Crown Prince.
Such a disloyal courtier can't be forgiven,
Sire, please understand.
Sire, Prince Jin has a point.
We have to find out the truth to clear Crown Prince of his name.
Enough.
The fish rots from the head.
Without the Crown Prince's backing,
how would Yang Ji dare make outrageous demands?
Though Chen Changyu has not lined his own pocket,
he used inferior materials and caused the collapse of the palace,
Execute him at once!
Sire, spare me...
Crown Prince has failed in his supervision,
lock him up in the Penalty Court.
Sire, I'm innocent.
I really am innocent.
Sire, please reconsider...
Audience adjourned.
Long live Your Majesty...
Get lost! Yes...
Brother Yong, let me go plead with Sire and Mother
Your name will be cleared, don't worry.
Mother, please plead with Sire.
Brother Yong wouldn't do such a foolish thing.
Mother...
It's serious, Chen Changyu gave a credible account,
how can I plead for him?
Moreover, Yang Ji was involved in it,
it's hard to say Yong is innocent.
Still, we can't let him be put in Penalty Court.
It's not a bad thing.
The ordeal will make him remember
he should straighten out his underlings.
Sire...
I heard everything, get up.
Sire, it needs further investigation.
Sire, let me bear the penalty for Brother Yong.
If only he were as thoughtful as you,
this scandal wouldn't have happened.
Sire, please take care of yourself.
Chen Changyu, you did great today.
Thank you, Highness.
I have arranged another man to be executed in your stead.
From today on, Chen Changyu is dead.
You understand? Yes.
I have arranged a place for you.
My family...
They will be there waiting for you.
I honor my word.
Thank you, Highness.
Highness...
Highness, you're really letting him go?
What do you think?
I hate dirt.
Everything has to be spotlessly clean.
Highness...
House of Prime Minister
The Yangzhou trip was fruitful indeed.
When I'm back in Chang'an,
my brother Yuwen Huaji won't look down on me again.
Those local officials had some nerve.
They dared to grease you with relief silver.
They were not afraid of victims making an outcry?
Even if they didn't grease us,
they would line their own pockets with the money.
Victims never see the silver.
Don't you worry.
Teahouse
Miss Ying, here comes the wind.
Come on, go...
Go...
Stop... Gentlemen...
Procession of the House of the Prime Minister.
Civilians give way.
Go away.
Sir, take it easy.
Your men have had a long day.
Why don't you come for some tea?
Right.
This is the middle of nowhere,
you won't find another place for a break.
Right.
How dare you stop men from the House of the Prime Minister,
you don't want to live?
We dare not...
Sir.
How pretty!
Sir, you've been on the road for a day,
you must be tired and hungry.
Why don't you take a break at our teahouse?
How about it?
Good...
Tea made by such a pretty girl must be good.
Sir...
We're escorting the private gift from
Governor Yangzhou to Prime Minister.
Nothing can go wrong.
I think we should keep going.
Well...
A bowl of tea won't take long.
Sir, come on...
Sir...
Don't disappoint this lady here.
Help me dismount.
Let me help you...
No hurry, come on...
You guys watch his back.
Others stay put and stand guard.
Yes...
Sir, come on...no hurry...
Have a bowl of tea to quench your thirst.
Take it easy...
Sir, drink it hot.
It's hot today, quench your thirst...
Come on...
Sir, you too... I am thirsty...
Sire, you're tired, come sit down...
Good... Sit down...
Sir, premium tea, try it.
Isn't it good? Yes.
This is a forsaken place,
yet I can meet a girl as pretty as you,
what a surprise.
Why don't you come to the House of the Prime Minister with me?
You'll live a life of luxury.
Sir...
Sir, don't tease me.
I'm of lowly birth,
I'm not that blessed.
But if you care about me,
then have more tea and tip me more,
I'll be grateful indeed.
Is it good? Yes.
Since I've given you business. how will you repay...
I knew the tea was laced.
Give me the antidote,
or I'll kill you and burn the teahouse down
Give me the antidote, come on...
Miss Ying, you alright? Fine.
Yingying, you alright?
Brother Wang.
You alright? I'm fine.
Brother...
Brother Xin
Master Jin. Yes.
Take the tribute silver we got back through another route.
Yes.
Brother, we should thank Brother Wang,
he sure is a civil and military champion.
His archery sure lives up to the name.
Yingying, you're a heroine too.
Brother Xin, the court is corrupt and the people are suffering.
I saw through that so I joined the outlaws to do the people justice.
Brother Xin, what do you have in mind?
The first thing is to return the tribute silver back to the victims of Yangzhou.
Shan Mian, Shan Zhou. Yes.
Take care of the bodies and clean up the scene.
Yes.
You guys take the man away.
Miss Ying, they were found on the guard.
Come...
Luzhou Magistracy
Your Honor...
Tribute to the House of the Prime Minister was robbed by bandits in your territory.
It's your duty to get it back.
I'm giving you three days.
Your Honor, take it easy.
Luzhou is big, with many woods and bandits,
It can't be done in three days.
What nonsense!
How dare you disobey me? I can have you fired!
I dare not.
Your Honor, what I said is the truth.
Give me a month,
I guarantee the bandits and tribute will be found.
One month, I give you one month.
Have the tribute delivered directly to the Prime Minister's residency.
I won't wait here for that long.
Yes...
Let's go!
Your Honor, what do we do?
What do you mean?
Come! Yes...
I give you a month to get me each and every tribute,
or your heads will roll.
Yes...
Er Xian Zhuang
Brother Xin, don't see me off any further, let's bid farewell here.
Please mount.
The 9th day of the 9th month is your mother's 60th birthday.
I'll be there for the celebration.
Good, brothers, it'll be our reunion,
I'll wait for you guys in Shandong.
Good!
Heaven bless us. Brother Qiong, be careful on the road,
don't get into fights with other people,
or it'll mean jail for you.
Reverend Xu, what do you mean?
Shubao...
With them chatting, let me put the relief silver into Brother Qiong's bag.
Brother Qiong, the journey is long, take good care of yourself.
Sure! Farewell!
Let me help you mount. Godspeed.
Let me help you mount. Safe travels.
Ta ke ca re.
What do you mean?
You're officers and you can search at will.
You say there are bandits here?
How can you frame me?
If you make a scene here,
no one will dare stay in my inn.
Sir, be careful.
We have no choice. It's an order.
If we find no tribute or bandits, our heads will roll.
Be smart and give way, let us search the rooms.
I dare you. Let them...
Sir, this way...
Sir, please come in...
Come sit here.
Please sit. Sure.
Sir, we have premium rooms here,
all clean and big, you'll be comfortable.
What can we get you?
A pot of wine and two dishes.
Sure, coming right up.
Here you are.
Sir, this is premium rice blossom wine, you'll love it.
It's our custom here to pay upfront for the wine.
Just a moment.
Thank you. Let me make your dishes.
My friend, it's blown.
Take it out.
There must be some misunderstanding.
I'm a constable of Licheng County of Shandong.
Identification?
Just a moment.
Here you are.
A law enforcer breaking the law, that makes your crime more grievous.
A black sheep among us.
Get him. Yes!
Stop it please... Stop it...
You're Qin Qiong?
Your Honor, that's right.
You were caught red-handed, what is your defense?
Brother Xin put it in there for me when I was in Er Xian Zhuang?
Qin Qiong, what's your defense?
I have nothing to say.
Good! Where's the rest of the stolen stuff?
Where are your accomplices?
Confess and spare yourself the torture.
Your Honor, I have no accomplices.
What a forked tongue, what nonsense.
You need some coaxing to make you talk.
Come! Yes.
Torture him! Finger screw.
Qin Qiong, I'll ask you again:
Where's the tribute? Where are your accomplices?
Your Honor, I have no accomplices.
You were caught red-handed, you still dare to deny it?
Fire and water torture! You'll talk.
Brother Qiong, it's me, Shan Tong.
Brother Xin! Brother Qiong.
Brother Qiong...
Who knew I'd see you here.
Brother Qiong, it's my fault, I caused your suffering.
Put up for several days more,
I'll get you out.
Your Honor, who is this Qin Qiong?
Shan Xiongxin of Er Xian Zhuang is vouching for him.
It's a tough case.
Shan Xiongxin, aka Shan Tong,
who time and again has given relief to disaster victims?
That's right. He's somebody.
People say he's an outlaw leader.
Head of outlaws in thirteen provinces.
So he's a bandit leader.
But I'm Governor of Luzhou, what can he do to me?
Your Honor, if you want peace and promotion
I don't think you should make him your enemy for the time being.
Your Honor, look.
Your Honor, better do him a favor.
How?
Your Honor...
Get up.
Where are you taking me?
It's not for you to ask.
Get up, go!
The offender Qin Qiong, native of Licheng County in Shandong,
though a constable, he colluded with bandits and received stolen articles,
he has compromised his honor.
But he saw his mistake,
and has redeemed himself by aiding
in the capture of the bandits and the recovery of the tribute.
He has earned leniency.
He's sentenced to exile to Beiping Prefecture immediately,
with no further delay. Yes.
Hurry UP-
Master Qin...
Hurry up...
Tong Huan, unlock it.
Watch the hands, take it easy.
Master Qin, you had a hard time.
I'm Jin Jia. Tong Huan.
At your service.
Brothers, what happened?
Master Qin, we're on Master Qin's order, to escort you to Beiping Prefecture.
Brother Qiong.
Brother Xin.
We've been waiting here for some time.
Brother Xin...
People of Tiantang County may talk, it's not convenient for us.
So we'll bid you farewell here.
I thank you for sparing no efforts for me.
I'm grateful indeed.
Please don't say that.
You got into this plight because of me.
I'm so ashamed and sorry.
Please don't say that.
Yingying has wreaked havoc,
she's grounded for introspection.
She wanted to come see you off,
But Brother Xin was worried she'd cause trouble again,
she wasn't allowed to come.
Brothers, Brother Qiong is now in your hands,
take good care of him on the way.
You can rest assured,
you have our word,
Master Qin will arrive in Beiping Prefecture safe and sound.
Right.
Zhang Gongjin, Liaison Officer of Lord Beiping is a brother of mine,
When you get there, go to him at once,
let him take care of Brother Qiong's case.
You must remember,
keep him away from jail as best as you can.
Don't worry; we know what to do.
Right.
Keep this letter safe.
I thank you in advance.
Oh yes, Brother Xin,
the document says I redeemed myself
by helping in the arrest of bandits and the recovery of the tribute.
What's that about?
Brother Qiong, Brother Xin bought off two prisoners in death row,
they admitted to be robbers of the tribute,
who planted the silver on you.
So your charges are acquaintances with bandits and receiving stolen goods.
Thank you all, guys.
Brother Xin, Beiping Prefecture is far away
please write my mother a letter,
tell her that I'm tied up with work, I can't go home,
I can't wait on her.
Brother Xin, she can't know the truth.
Don't worry, your mother is like my own mother to me.
Good.
Brother Qiong, it's getting late, you have to go.
It's about time we said goodbye, Brother Qiong, take care.
Take care...
Brother Qiong, take care.
Take care...
Ta ke ca re.
Buddy, I've been practicing my axe routine for months,
Really?
I'm now invincible.
Come sit down first...take it easy...
But I have nowhere to use my talent.
Buddy, just be direct.
Alright, Brother Jin, let me ask you,
what do you think about the times?
The times we live in?
It's a ridiculous world!
Buddy, let me tell you,
if I were the emperor,
then everyone will drink freely...
Such words cannot be said freely...
Sit down...
What can he do to me?
Sit down...
That's what I see in you,
this fearless heroic air.
Brother Jin, tell me,
men like us who stand tall,
and born into this chaotic world,
shouldn't we do something big to make it worthwhile?
Buddy, you spoke my mind.
Brother Jin, it's about time I came clean.
I asked you here
to rob the tribute silver.
That rascal Yang Lin extorted 480,000 taels from the people.
The money will be delivered to Chang'an for the rascal emperor to build his palace.
I plan to intercept it as a wake-up call to the court.
It'll be returned to the disaster victims,
to relieve them of their plight.
Buddy, yes, let's go now...
Brother Jin, not now, sit down...
Brother Jin, there's one more thing.
I have been living here for so long,
if I lead the robbery,
I'll be easily identified.
You are brave and heroic,
if you would lead the robbery, then...
Buddy, you mean you supervise it from the back, and I carry it out in front.
Is that what you mean?
Smart!
Good, let's do it now!
Brother Jin, not now, sit down...
The date is not set yet.
But I have sent people to Dengzhou to collect information.
We'll hear from them soon.
Good! Buddy, tell them to come back quick.
Don't let me wait too long.
Of course...but Brother Jin,
Once you take part, you'll be a bandit.
Buddy, so be it.
If we don't rob them, they'll rob us.
Heroes share the same mind, you're so right.
The court is worse than bandits.
Buddy, I'm a bandit now.
But I don't know how to do it.
It's easy.
Brother Jin, the key is...
If you don't fear death, others will fear you.
Buddy, I don't fear death at all.
Right...
Oh yes, bandits have their customs and jargon, let me...
Have more... You too...
Master Qin, eat it hot... Come on...
We're full. Me too.
Brothers, we'll soon be in Beiping Prefecture,
I should put the cangue back on.
Otherwise, if we're stopped for a check, you'll both be implicated.
You two have been so kind to me along the way.
Master Qin, so you don't consider us friends?
Indeed...
We should take good care of you.
We promised Master Shan we would take care of you when we set out.
As for this cangue,
if I keep mum, you keep mum, he keeps mum, who can tell?
Others may think you're a guard.
Right...
Halt!
Tell the people why you have to take this walk of shame.
Master Qin, look.
My name is Wang An, I know some martial arts.
I went to the combat arena in the west side.
I was defeated by the arena master.
By combat rules, the loser has to undertake the walk of shame.
Don't follow my footsteps, don't stick your neck out.
A walk of shame is hard to bear.
Alright, keep walking.
Master Qin, he looks like he has a flower pot for a hat.
Really, if it were me,
I would have defeated the arena master in no time.
Don't bluff.
You don't believe me? So?
Then wait here, let me...
Halt!
What did you say? You out of your mind?
You out of your mind?
Let me beat you up...
You only have fun in mind.
We have Master Qin's business to take care of
We must first go to Zhang Gongjin,
the arena can wait.
Alright, whatever you say.
Let's go.
Master Qin, sorry.
Master Qin, let's go.
Combat
Tigers not a match for my fist
Dragons succumb to my kick
Beiping Combat Arena
Here it is.
Look, what a crowd here.
Let's take a look. Good.
Fellows, I'm the arena master of Beiping.
My name is Shi Danai.
He looks awesome. Right...
I fought and killed a man by mistake.
If you kill a man, it's a life for life.
According to the law, I should repay it with my life.
But Lord Beiping gave me a way to redeem myself.
I was asked to host this combat arena for a hundred days.
Bravo... Any challengers?
So it's to redeem his wrongdoing... Interesting...
Fellows, today is the 99th day.
You fellows and martial adepts have been kind to me,
I have not lost so far.
Today is the last day, any challengers?
Anyone? Come on...
Let me tell you, if you win, you'll be rewarded,
an official position, money, you name it.
But if you lose, you'll have to pay.
You'll have to paint your face and put on flowers for the walk of shame.
Anyone?
Come on...
Did you hear him?
That Shi guy sure is arrogant.
How haughty.
He needs to be taught a lesson,
or he'll remain clueless.
Indeed.
Will you go up or not?
If not, let me.
Let me beat some sense into him,
so he knows there are adepts out there.
Shi guy, here comes your challenger.
Let me have some fun with you.
Come on.
Buddy, cut me some slack.
Don't worry.
Buddy, your name please.
Cut the chit chat.
I'll tell you when you're down.
Buddy, sorry.